Renaissance Theatre presents Workshops for Actors and Directors

ACTORS SCENE STUDY WORKSHOP*

This is not an academic class. It is practical in nature and method. It is

not a class about talking about acting. This is a class about doing. It will

require preparation on your own or with a partner between classes. Working

on a scene is an important method by which actors develop their

process/craft for acting. The goal of this workshop is to provide a detailed

approach to developing a scene and creating rich, vibrant characters and

relationships. The process and craft explored are designed for actors

working either in or towards a career on stage or in front of the camera.

The workshop will: (a) Explore the fundamentals of acting, how to stay

present in the moment, and working from the heart with feeling and truth.

(b) Explore the specifics of the craft involving such issues as: creating a

character, determining specific motivations and conflicts, emotions,

atmosphere, environment, physical choices, reaction, transition and more.

(c) Explore the material from moment to moment, in thought, feeling, desire,

action, intention, and subtext. This class requires a commitment not only

to weekly classes but some outside rehearsal.

Instructor: Robbie Shafer

No stranger to the stage, Ms. Shafer was a New York resident for over 24

years where she appeared in a variety of theatrical venues ranging from

Off-Off-Broadway to the original Broadway production of Hair. She has

appeared in over 30 roles for repertory and tour companies throughout the

eastern seaboard. Other professional credits include ensemble roles for The

Jackie Mason Comedy Ruvue and backup singer for Elly Stone in Concert at

Carnegie Hall, as well as national TV commercials for Clairol and Pepsi

Cola. Ms. Shafer is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

She has studied acting with Katherine Helmond and Uta Hagen and danced with

the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Phil Black, Luigi and London's Royal Ballet

Company.

Teen Class: Tuesdays: September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and October 7 from 6:30

to 8:30 p.m.

Adult Class: Saturday: September 6, 13, 20, 27, October 3 & 11 from 1 to 3

p.m.

DIRECTING WORKSHOP:

The course addresses the tools required to approach directing, including:

script analysis, production planning, casting, rehearsal planning and

blocking, visual storytelling and leadership. The workshop will also

investigate the director's working relationship with team members such as

actors, designers, choreographers, stage managers, assistants and

dramaturges. Review the pitfalls and problems with comprehensive techniques

for the beginner and the advanced director.

The course is divided into two major sections: pre-production and rehearsal.

Participants will be required to role-play for each other (becoming actors,

designers, etc as needed). Group discussion will play an important role in

this investigation.

Discover and develop your own style of directing to bring your vision to the

stage.

Instructor: Carl Spurlock

Mr. Spurlock has been an actor and director in both stage and film for more

than thirty years. Mr. Spurlock is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, the

American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, and the Directors

Guild. In addition to film, video and radio production, Mr. Spurlock has

directed for community theatre stage as well as professional repertory

theatre companies. Performance and directorial favorites include A Man For

All Seasons, Night of the Iguana, My Fair Lady, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Adult Class: Wednesdays: September 3, 10, 17, 24, October 1 & 8 from 6:30

p.m. to 8:30 p.m. An exception for teen students (i.e. student directors)

will be considered with letters of recommendation from appropriate

educators.

Class size is limited and will be filled on a first come first served basis.

Each course is $125. Each course is one class per week for six consecutive

weeks. Courses are held at Renaissance Theatre at 1216B Meridian Street,

Huntsville. For more information and to register, contact Criss Ashwell,

256-551-9898 or criss@hiwaay.net or criss_ashwell@yahoo.com

NoneSuch sponsor of the Recycled Art Contest is in the last days of

accepting entries!

June 15 is the deadline.

Winners will be announced June 20 at 7pm

The People's Choice Award will be awarded the at the end of the weekend!

There will be $50 Cash Awards given the day of the contest!

There will be a $100 People's Choice award that will be given after the

exhibition.

You may choose to place your artwork up for sale and actually earn money by

helping to clean up the environment.

For the rules and to see the previous winners and for just more information

visit

http://www.recycledartcontest.com/ Note trouble has been experienced with

the on-line entry form. Be sure to visit the rules and the "enter" pages

for directions.

Community Ballet will begin three weeks of summer dance workshops for

advanced and intermediate level dancers on Monday, June 9. Luba Gulyaeva,

former soloist with the Kirov Ballet and currently Ballet Mistress with the

New Jersey Ballet, will teach daily ballet and pointe classes June 9 through

21. This will be Ms. Gulyaeva's tenth summer in Huntsville. Her students are

dancing in such prestigious companies as the Maryinski Ballet(formerly The

Kirov) in Russia, San Francisco Ballet, and Boston Ballet. During those two

weeks, Stephen McCaffery, who has his own dance academy and company in

Atlanta will teach jazz, hip hop and partnering classes for each level. Mr.

McCaffery will soon be seen in the re-release of Wild Style, a major motion

picture documentary about break dancing. On June 23, Andrew Kuharsky will

return to Huntsville to teach daily ballet and pointe classes through June

28. Mr. Kuharsky danced professionally with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and

the Atlanta Ballet, among others. He is currently teaching at Wright State

University and owns and operates the Greenville Ballet School in Greenville,

SC. Margi Cole, Artistic Director and founder of The Dance COLEctive in

Chicago, will teach three days of Modern Dance Master Classes June 26

through 28. Ms. Cole holds an MFA from the University of Illinois and is

currently on the faculty of Columbia College Chicago. She teaches summer

workshop classes each year for Wes Chapman of Alabama Ballet and has done

choreography for his company. Her work, Tell It By Heart, won the Panoply

choreography competition in 2001. All classes will be held at the studios

of Community Ballet School, 800 Regal Drive. Students may take individual

classes or register for the entire one and two week workshops. For further

information on these workshops or Community Ballet School's regular summer

classes (ages 4-Adult) that also begin on June 9th call 539-0961

Tickets are now on sale for Broadway Theatre League's upcoming 2003-2004

season

Miss Saigon October 21-26

Jesus Christ Superstar November 28-30

Cats January 30 - February 1

Grease Starring Frankie Avalon February 20 - 22

Les Miserables April 27 - May 2

And Season Special Featuring Bill Cosby February 8

for all the details visit http://www.btleague.org or call 256-518-6155

Huntsville Dance Academy is now registering for the 2003 Summer and Fall

Classes.

The Huntsville Dance Academy is owned and directed by Melissa B. Barnett and

offers courses in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Pilates, and

Preschool.

Registering students ages 3 - adult

A $25 non-refundable registration fee due at time of registration.

Annual recital held at the end of the dance year in which all students will

perform.

The Academy is located at 3005 L & N Dr. Suite 1, Huntsville

Visit the offices Monday through Friday between 3pm and 7pm to register

or call 533-4777.

The Technical Staff of Huntsville Community Chorus Association's upcoming

production of FAME invites you to pick up a hammer or a paint brush and

help out! They have quite a bit of set construction and painting for this

show and any and all help would be welcome. Saturday, June 7th will be the

day they move the scenery from HCCA storage on Holmes Avenue to the VBC

Scene Shop. After that date, all work will be done at the VBC Scene Shop,

accessed from the Concert Hall loading dock on the Clinton Avenue (north)

side of the VBC. The schedule is Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from

June 7th through move in on Sunday, July 27th. Specific dates and times are

as follows:

June 7, Saturday - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

June 10, Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 12, Thursday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 14, Saturday - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

June 17, Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 19, Thursday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 21, Saturday - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

June 24, Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 26, Thursday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 28, Saturday - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 1, Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 8, Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 10, Thursday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 12, Saturday - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 15, Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 17, Thursday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 19, Saturday - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 22, Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 24, Thursday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

July 26, Saturday - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 27, Sunday - Move on to Playhouse Stage - 8 a.m.

Please contact Mark Eccleston at Meccleston@pei-idt.com or phone (w)

895-2055 (c) 694-8575 (h) 895-8575 or Lynn Broad (Lynnbroad@aol.com, (h)

539-5126) for more information and to let them know when you will be

available to help out.

Huntsville Community Chorus Association is holding auditions for singers in

all chorus sections for the 2003-2004 season! Auditions are relaxed and

private with Billy Orton, Director and Conductor. Auditions will be held at

the First Baptist Church on Monday, June 16, Monday, July 14 and Monday

August 4 (each day at 7 p.m.)

To schedule an audition, call the HCCA office at 533-6606

Free dance lessons

Learn the basics of West Coast Swing

Monday nights starting at about 7 p.m.

At Dance Here Studio, Moore's Mill Road, Huntsville

For advanced West Coast Swing Dancers, a class is offered on Wednesday

nights for $10.

For more information on classes and events call (256) 851-1991, or see their

web site, http://www.idancehere.com/

GUNTERSVILLE, Alabama - The Mountain Valley Arts Council has announced a

call for entries to songwriters for its MOVA Arts Festival songwriter

competition. Deadline for submissions is June 18.

Judging categories include MOVAriety (humor, children, Christmas, etc.); new

age and/or instrumental; blues; folk and acoustic alternative; jazz; R & B;

soul; spiritual/inspirational/religious; world music (Latin, Celtic, etc.);

rap or hip hop; rock and alternative; techno/fusion/heavy metal; pop/adult

contemporary; and country. A Lyrics Only and Scores and Themes category has

been added to the competition.

A total of $4,000 in cash awards will be given including a $1,000 Best of

Show. Additional awards of equipment, recording auditions and more will also

be given out. There is no limit on the number of songs a songwriter/composer

may enter. The songwriter/composer may have another artist record and/or

perform his or her work. Fees for submissions are as follows:

(Deadline of June 18):

$45 (for up to 3 songs)

$12 for each additional song

?Outside the U.S.A.:

Add one-time $10 fee to enter to cover additional costs of mailing and

correspondence.

All entry fees must be in U.S. Currency.

The MOVA Arts Festival will be Sept. 19-21 at Civitan Park in Guntersville.

During the festival, finalists will perform in front of well-known music

industry professionals including Kim Copeland, Brian Evans, Chris Gantry,

Russell Gulley, Damon Johnson, Casey Kelly, Eddie Martin, Janet McLaughlin,

Jim McNeil, Jim Parker, Susan Tucker, and Pat Upton. Festival organizers may

add additional music professionals to the panel.

During the festival weekend, workshops and critique sessions will be offered

to all songwriters and composers.

The MOVA Arts Festival is funded in part by the Alabama State Council on the

Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

To request a songwriters registration form and the complete list of rules,

contact the Mountain Valley Arts Council at 256-582-1454 or e-mail request

to artscouncil@mindspring.com. Forms and rules are also available on the web

at http://MOVA.MountainValleyArtsCouncil.org

The Huntsville Arts Council is now enrolling for Summer Camp

The Arts Council of Huntsville is proud to present our seventh consecutive

summer of the popular ArtVentures! Summer Day Camp for children ages 6-12.

Enjoy this two week camp and explore five different art forms to include:

Visual Arts, Drama, Music, Movement and Creative Writing, using a tropical,

Treasure the Arts theme. Camp takes place July 7 - 18 Monday thorugh Friday

from 9am-3pm at University Place Elementary School. Each day campers will

participate in a session of each art form. Campers are divided into groups

by age with no more than 20 per group. Activities are modified to be age

appropriate. All instructors are certified teachers who have experience

working with elementary age children in their art form. Trained junior

counselors are assigned to each group of children. Guest artists are

invited to provide additional activities. The cost of ArtVentures! is $200

per camper for the two-week session (this includes a camp t-shirt). For more

information, please contact Kristy Hinds, Arts in Education Director at

(256) 519-2787 or khinds@artshuntsville.org. Register early, space is

limited.

Guitar Lessons:

Classical, Acoustic and Electric (all styles) with teacher Mike Slaten, over

12 years of experience in performing and teaching guitar

To register or for more inforamtion call 256-536-5369 or email

studio@shawn-thomas.com

Arts Camp 2003

GUNTERSVILLE - The Mountain Valley Arts Council is now accepting early

registrations for Arts Camp 2003. Arts Camp is a two-week day camp for

children ages 6-12. Other age children may be allowed upon directors'

approval. Children participate in five different art forms including 2- and

3-dimensional visual art, music, dance and drama. Teachers and assistants

supervise the children's fun as they create art. Whether registration is

made early or not, additional discounts are available for Mountain Valley

Arts Council family members and for more than one child in a family.

Arts Camp North will be July 14 - 25 at the Guntersville Recreation Center.

The regular 2003 tuition rate will be $130 per child. Arts Camp South will

be July 21 - August 1 at the Albertville Elementary School. The regular 2003

tuition rate will be $120 per child. Registration for both camps will remain

open until they reach capacity. Early registration is recommended as these

popular programs often reach capacity quickly. A limited number of

scholarships are available on a financial need basis.

For more information on Arts Camp or to request a registration form, contact

the Mountain Valley Arts Council at (256) 582-1454 or e-mail

artscouncil@mindspring.com. Information on Arts Camp can be found on the

website at http://www.mountainvalleyartscouncil.org.

Madison Children's Theatre is registering for Summer Classes visit them on

line at http://www.madisontheatre.com for more information.

Madison Community Chorus presents

Summer Musical Theater Camp

for rising 5th - 9th graders

June 16-20 from 9 am - 3 pm

at The Dance Company, 19 Hughes Rd. in Madison

This camp will include instruction in auditioning, singing, movement and

acting, with a mini-musical presentation at the end of the week!

Fee is $125, which includes all your music, script, and admission to The

Park on

Monday afternoon, lunch Monday, and a t-shirt!

For info, please email madisonchorus@knology.net or call MCC at 461-9631.

Get Involved and Be Upbeat!

The Volunteer Center of Madison County and the volunteer singles program

called UPBEAT is an organization of community-minded single adults over 21.

Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in planned, one-time group

projects with a variety of non-profit organizations. These projects are

always evening and weekend times to cater to working individuals. This

group is a great way to meet other singles in a fun environment AND help our

community. Membership is just $15 annually. We meet every third Tuesday at

the Fogcutter at 5:30 pm.

It's a great cause and a great way to meet other singles in the community!

Contact the Program Manager, Mary Green at The Volunteer Center of Madison

County;

912-B Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville. You may call (256) 539-7797 e-mail

mary@volunteerhsv.org or visit http://www.volunteerhsv.org

Lakeside Arts District Applications being accepted for MOVA Arts Festival

The MOVA Arts Festival is now accepting entries for the Lakeside Arts

District.

The Lakeside Arts District will consist of booths where artists exhibit and

sell their works. No commissions will be charged on sales. Exhibitors must

show original artwork only; no commercial kits or molds will be accepted.

Exhibitors must be 18 years of age or older. Security will be provided. Some

artists may be selected to demonstrate their work during the festival

weekend. Selected demonstrators will be granted free booth space, and booth

fees will be refunded. Booth space will be 10' x 10' with 2' access between

booths. Deadlines for the Lakeside Arts District are: Earlybird

Registration: July 15 - Booth Fee: $50 Reduced fee for all artists. Artists

who wish to apply for free demonstration space must register by this date.

Booth fees will be refunded with acceptance notification to artists granted

free space. Night Owl Registration: Sept. 1 - Booth Fee $60.00 Demonstration

and/or booth space not guaranteed. Booth fee will be refunded if space is

not available. You may call 256-582-1454 before submitting. The MOVA Arts

Festival will be held Sept. 19-21 at the Civitan Park in Guntersville. Along

with the Lakeside Arts District, the MOVA Arts Festival includes a

songwriting competition; Kid's Art Park; the Village Voice, a showcase of

area talent in dance, storytelling, acoustic music and more. For an

exhibitor application, contact the Mountain Valley Arts Council at

256-582-1454 or e-mail request to artscouncil@mindspring.com. Information

may also be found on the web at http://MOVA.MountainValleyArtsCouncil.org.

Nominations being accepted for 2003 Bill Bates Award

The Mountain Valley Arts Council along with the Alabama State Council on the

Arts developed the Bill Bates Award in honor of the deputy director of ASCA.

It is envisioned as a means of honoring those in the state of Alabama who

have given of themselves tirelessly, without thought of reward, to develop,

promote and add to the cultural and artistic heritage of the state.

Bill Bates was a native Alabamian, born in Baldwin County in 1942. He passed

away in March 2002. From 1966 to 1976, Bates served as lighting designer and

production manager for "Unto These Hills" in Cherokee, N.C. During this time

he did graduate work in arts/theatre administration at the University of

North Carolina. He later served as general manager for the Carolina Regional

Theatre and then administrative assistant for the Institute of Outdoor

Drama. In August 1985, Bates came to Montgomery as the Deputy Director for

the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Bates' background and experience in the performing arts and arts

administration became apparent early on in his tenure with the Council. He

helped design grant programs, internal management systems, and long range

planning procedures that were significant contributions to a growing and

changing state arts agency. While Bates handled a lot of internal management

and "behind the scenes" work, his real passion surfaced in coordinating a

number of special council projects. This was particularly true with the

Community Arts Leadership Institute.

The MOVA Arts Festival committee awarded the first Bill Bates Award to Mary

Beth Davis, the single most driving force behind the Gerhart Chamber Music

Festival. Davis spent years developing the festival, beginning with taking

her children from Albertville to Huntsville to study music under Huntsville

Orchestra's Russell Gerhart. The Gerhart Chamber Music Festival, under Mary

Beth Davis' loving care and attention, has grown to be an event every music

lover in Alabama and elsewhere eagerly look forward to each year.

To be considered for the Bill Bates award, a nominee should be someone who

has:

been a resident of Alabama for a minimum of 5 years

worked tirelessly, without thought of reward, in the arts or an art-related

field

through this work, been instrumental in getting people who might not have

otherwise been inclined, to get involved in music, theater, art or

literature

been an advocate for the implementation and availability of arts education

for all ages and all persons

worked to develop a sense of community in his or her field

been a valuable spokesperson for the arts, through his or her enthusiasm

expressed in speech, literature or steady quiet action

demonstrated consistent good will to his or her fellow human beings,

celebrating their creative natures and encouraging them to express that

nature for the betterment of everyone involved.

Nominations will be accepted by the MOVA Arts Festival Committee until Aug.

1. The award will be presented at the 2003 MOVA Arts Festival in September.

Forms are available from the Mountain Valley Arts Council by calling

256-582-1454 or e-mail artscouncil@mindspring.com.

This Week 
Friday through Friday made up of sections for Theatre/Film, Music/Dance, Galleries/Museums, and Lectures/Readings/Other

• Theatre/Film
• Music/Dance
• Museums/Galleries
• Lectures

On the Inside 
Taking Part and Supporting the Arts